Obergfoll concrete screed level

ABSTRACT

Today&#39;s process of screeding, or evening out, wet concrete is an inefficient and arduous system requiring two (or more) men, a 2×4 wooden beam, and wooden forms to level the surface of wet concrete. The Obergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL,” allows a single person to screed concrete as accurately, more easily and in less time than it takes the standard two man screeding technique used today. 
     The OCSL is uniquely designed to allow a single person to accurately level and screed wet concrete. The screeding bar also incorporates a leveling bubble allowing for continuous verification of even leveling throughout the screeding process. The ergonomically designed dual handles act as convenient and efficient levers, allowing easy and accurate screeding of heavy wet concrete by one single operator, instead of the customary two or three person job.

I. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Today's process of screeding, or evening out, wet concrete is aninefficient and arduous system requiring two (or more) men, a 2×4 woodenbeam, and wooden forms to level the surface of wet concrete. TheObergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL,” allows a single person toscreed concrete as accurately, more easily and in less time than ittakes the standard two man screeding technique used today.

II. SUMMARY

The OCSL is uniquely designed to allow a single person to accuratelylevel and screed wet concrete. The screeding bar also incorporates aleveling bubble allowing for continuous verification of even levelingthroughout the screeding process. The ergonomically designed dualhandles act as convenient and efficient levers, allowing easy andaccurate screeding of heavy wet concrete by one single operator, insteadof the customary two or three person job.

III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The OCSL is made of three primary components:

-   -   1) The screed is a 4′ to 6′ long wooden or metal plank,        approximately 1½″ wide and 3½″ tall. The screed is the        operational piece the OCSL that effectively “pulls” the wet        cement to level and even out the concrete.    -   2) The handles, also made of wood or metal, are approximately        18″ long and angled up and out to allow maximum leverage in        pulling and maneuvering the OCSL over wet concrete. The handles        are designed to allow a single person to pull the screed        comfortably, without needing to kneel or bend to a position that        may compromise back and neck safety.    -   3) The third primary part is the level bubble which is set upon        the screed at the center for maximum visibility. The level        bubble allows the OCSL operator to check for level accuracy at        any time during the pulling process and to instantly and        continuously make adjustments as necessary.    -   4) The combination of screed, handle and level bubble work        together to allow a single operator to do the work of a 2 or        more person crew more accurately and efficiently.    -   5) The OCSL is used the following way: The OCSL is pulled within        a form or space filled with wet concrete using a side to side        zig zag motion, evening and leveling the wet concrete. The        bubble level is checked throughout the process to maintain a        level pitch.    -   6) The OCSL has tremendous consumer and commercial application.        One commercial application is within buildings where areas to be        paved with concrete are obstructed by numerous shafts, pipes,        bars, etc. Such impediments make the traditional system of        screeding concrete with a two or more person crew difficult,        inefficient and irregular because, for one, tight spaces must be        skipped and finished separately. Here, the OCSL makes the        screeding efficient, consistent (uniform) and labor friendly.    -   7) The concrete screed level allows for a single person to        navigate hard to reach places using its ergonomic handles and        compact design. The level bubble allows for accuracy in both        tight and open areas. The handles provide leverage for the        operator to “pull” and screed more concrete in a shorter period        of time.

IV) CONCLUSION

Pouring concrete today is done using an out dated, inefficient processwith no efficient tool to accurately and easily pull and level theconcrete within the form. Today's processes result in uneven, crackedconcrete with small basins that cause puddles when wet. The OCSL is thesolution to this void in the construction industry. Needing only oneoperator, the OCSL allows for construction sites to run more efficientlyas well as making pouring concrete an easy do it yourself job to theaverage person. The ergonomically designed and angled handles helpreduce back and neck strain while allowing a single operator to pull andlevel wet concrete. The level bubble allows for real time, instantaneousaccuracy to avoid unevenness, giving the dried concrete an perfectsurface without cracks or basins. The same benefits allow for greaterspeed, efficiency and accuracy in both obstructed and unobstructedcommercial applications.

The OCSL will revolutionize the leveling of wet concrete fordo-it-yourselfers as well as professional contractors.

V) §1.74 REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS

a) FIG. 1 is the front view of the screed. At this view, one would beface to face with the operator of the screed.

b) FIG. 1-3 identifies the level bubble in FIG. 1.

c) FIG. 2 is the top view of the screed, as if one is standing above thescreed.

d) FIG. 2-4 identifies the level bubble in FIG. 2.

e) FIG. 3 is a close up front view of the level bubble.

f) FIG. 4 is a close up top view of the level bubble.

g) FIG. 5 is the side view of the screed.

h) FIG. 6 is top view of the screed at work leveling wet concrete. Here,the operator would be pulling the screed downward, as per the arrows.

1. The Obergfoll Concrete Screed Level, or “OCSL” will revolutionize theleveling of wet concrete for do-it-yourselfers as well as professionalcontractors by allowing a single person to screed or level wet concreteas accurately, more easily and in less time than the two or more personscreeding techniques and devises used today. The OCSL is uniquelydesigned to allow a single person to accurately level and screed wetconcrete. The screeding bar also incorporates a leveling bubble allowingfor continuous verification of even leveling throughout the screedingprocess. The ergonomically designed dual handles act as convenient andefficient levers, allowing easy and accurate screeding of heavy wetconcrete by one single operator, instead of the customary two or threeperson job.